Question

How do you find a missing side of a triangle using SOH CAH TOA

Answer 1

Answer:

See explanation and attachment

Step-by-step explanation:

SOH CAH TOA is a mnemonic.

SOH means $\sin \theta=\frac{Opposite}{Hypotenuse}$

CAH means $\cos \theta =\frac{Opposite}{Hypotenuse}$

TOA means $\tan \theta=\frac{Opposite}{Adjacent}$

Given an angle and a side of a right angle triangle, you can use the appropriate ratio to find the missing side.

For instance, find x in the diagram in the attachment.

In this case the best ratio to use is TOA.

$\tan 60\degree=\frac{\sqrt{3} }{x}$

$\implies x=\frac{\sqrt{3} }{\tan 60}$

$x=\frac{\sqrt{3} }{\sqrt{3} } =1$

All the other ratio also follow the same pattern

NB: Your calculator in degree should give  $\tan 60\degree=\sqrt{3}$